Francis Harrington Glidden
Encyclopedia
Francis Harrington Glidden (1832-1922) was an American businessman best known for founding the company now known as the Glidden Company, now a subsidiary of Akzo Nobel NV.
Glidden was born on May 24, 1832, in New Castle, Maine, and attended Lincoln Academy
. After marrying Winifred Kavanaugh Waters in 1854, he had a career as a seaman and dry-goods merchant. In 1866, he entered the varnish business for the first time, working as a varnish salesman for William Tilden and Nehphena, in New York City
. He remained with that company through 1875.
In 1868, Glidden moved to Cleveland, Ohio
in 1868. In 1875, after leaving Tilden, he started his own varnish manufacturing company, named The Glidden-Brackett Company; renamed later to the Glidden & Joy Company, and in 1890 incorporated as The Glidden Varnish Company.
Glidden served as President and Director of the company; retiring in 1917 at age 85. In addition to his work with the company, Glidden served as director of Central National Bank of Cleveland.
Glidden resided in the Clifton Park area of Lakewood, Ohio
, in a home he built in 1910 that he named "Inglewood." He died September 25, 1922, in Cleveland, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
Glidden was born on May 24, 1832, in New Castle, Maine, and attended Lincoln Academy
Lincoln Academy
Lincoln Academy is a small, independent secondary school located in Newcastle, Maine. Chartered in 1801, the school serves 17 towns in the Lincoln County area of Midcoast Maine...
. After marrying Winifred Kavanaugh Waters in 1854, he had a career as a seaman and dry-goods merchant. In 1866, he entered the varnish business for the first time, working as a varnish salesman for William Tilden and Nehphena, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He remained with that company through 1875.
In 1868, Glidden moved to Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
in 1868. In 1875, after leaving Tilden, he started his own varnish manufacturing company, named The Glidden-Brackett Company; renamed later to the Glidden & Joy Company, and in 1890 incorporated as The Glidden Varnish Company.
Glidden served as President and Director of the company; retiring in 1917 at age 85. In addition to his work with the company, Glidden served as director of Central National Bank of Cleveland.
Glidden resided in the Clifton Park area of Lakewood, Ohio
Lakewood, Ohio
Lakewood is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area, and borders the city of Cleveland. The population was 52,131 at the 2010 making it the third largest city in Cuyahoga County, behind Cleveland and Parma .Lakewood, one of Cleveland's...
, in a home he built in 1910 that he named "Inglewood." He died September 25, 1922, in Cleveland, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.